Langeveldt set to deliver

Donald said he’d taken some time after the World Cup before making his decision, but in truth the writing was on the wall for him from the middle of the summer when Langeveldt was brought in as a specialist ‘death bowling consultant’ to work with the squad ahead of the 50-over showpiece. Throw in the fact that responsibility for the spinners was put in the hands of Claude Henderson, and it seemed clear that Donald’s role was being undermined.

And Langeveldt’s ‘consultancy’ continued throughout the tournament, and unlike the South African squad’s other consultants – Gary Kirsten and Mike Hussey, who were only present intermittently – he was a constant presence.

Langeveldt’s role was clearly greater than just as the ‘death bowling consultant’ and he oversaw net sessions and was intimately involved in strategising too during the World Cup.

In many respects the 40-year- old, who played 87 international matches (six Tests, 72 ODIs and nine T20s) taking 133 wickets, was being groomed for the role as bowling coach.

Donald was appointed in 2011 at the same time Kirsten was made head coach and helped oversee a successful period for the Proteas particularly in the Test arena. The highlights in that time were the Test series victories in England and Australia, where South Africa won and then defended their No1 ranking in the five-day format.

Working with a group of fast bowlers first put together under his predecessor in the position, Vincent Barnes, Donald’s role was more to inspire than to tinker technically.

Nevertheless listening to Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel talk about it him, it was clear that his influence was important.

“It was always a big dream of mine to work in the South African cricket environment after my playing days and I was incredibly honoured to be given the opportunity. The last four years have been the best of my life and being involved with the Proteas in the 2015 Cricket World Cup was a goal I had set my sights on,” Donald said in a statement.

Donald is currently employed as the bowling coach by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League but is understood to be seeking other ventures too. Donald’s stepping down as the national side’s bowling coach is the first of a number of changes likely to occur surrounding the South African team, with a new selection panel also to be announced at the start of June.

It is believed that Andrew Hudson’s tenure as convenor will end, with Shafiek Abrahams and Hussein Manack favourites to chair the panel.

Players like AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel will all have to decide whether they want to carry on to the next World Cup in four years time, and figure out how that would impact on their Test careers in that period.

The South African side faces two major Test series’ this year – a tour to India in October after which they will face England in December. The team’s next assignment is a trip to Bangladesh in July. - The Star

Charl Langeveldt is in prime position to be named new Proteas bowling coach following Allan Donald's decision to step down.